Mets Edge Braves 8-7 in Comeback, Secure Playoffs Spot \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The New York Mets punched their ticket to the postseason with a thrilling 8-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves, capped by Francisco Lindor’s clutch two-run homer in the ninth inning. This win came in the first game of a makeup doubleheader, held before the playoffs. The Mets’ late-game heroics followed a wild back-and-forth that included six runs in the eighth inning from New York and a Braves rally that momentarily put them ahead. Atlanta still has a chance to make the postseason with a win in game two, but a Mets sweep would eliminate them in favor of Arizona.
Mets’ Playoff-Bound Comeback Quick Looks
- Lindor Lifts Mets to Playoffs: Francisco Lindor’s two-run homer in the ninth inning sealed the Mets’ 8-7 comeback win.
- Wild Eighth Inning: The Mets rallied with six runs in the eighth, only for the Braves to retake the lead before the Mets’ final surge.
- Braves’ Last Chance in Game Two: Atlanta could still clinch a wild-card berth with a win in game two; otherwise, Arizona advances.
- Pitching Rollercoaster: Rookie Spencer Schwellenbach held the Mets scoreless until the eighth, while closers on both sides struggled to contain the late-game offensive explosions.
- Chris Sale Scratched from Game Two Start: Atlanta’s ace, Chris Sale, was scratched due to injury, adding more uncertainty to their playoff hopes.
Deep Look
The New York Mets are headed to the postseason following an exhilarating win over the Atlanta Braves in the first game of a makeup doubleheader. Francisco Lindor’s two-run blast in the top of the ninth inning capped off a thrilling comeback that saw both teams exchange dramatic leads in the final two innings. The Mets ultimately edged out the Braves 8-7, securing their 11th postseason berth in franchise history and their first since 2022. The game, played just before the playoffs, had significant implications for both teams, as Atlanta still has a chance to secure their own wild-card spot with a victory in the second game of the doubleheader.
The stakes were high, and the tension only escalated as the game progressed. The Braves, who came into the day tied with the Mets at 88-72, needed a win to ensure their place in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Arizona, which ended their regular season with a record of 89-73, awaited the outcome of these games to determine their postseason fate.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
The game began with the Braves taking control behind the strong performance of rookie starter Spencer Schwellenbach. The 23-year-old right-hander kept the Mets at bay, allowing only three singles through the first seven innings. Atlanta looked poised to cruise into the postseason as they carried a 3-0 lead into the eighth inning. Ozzie Albies, batting right-handed due to a lingering wrist injury, had earlier put the Braves on the board with a two-run homer in the third inning.
However, everything changed in a wild eighth inning that saw the Mets stage a stunning six-run rally, turning a quiet game into an all-out slugfest. After Schwellenbach gave up a leadoff double to Tyrone Taylor, he was pulled from the game. The Braves turned to Joe Jiménez, who struggled immediately, allowing three consecutive hits that brought the Mets within one run. The Braves then brought in their closer, Raisel Iglesias, but he too faltered under the pressure. José Iglesias tied the game with an RBI single, and Mark Vientos followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Mets their first lead of the night, 4-3. Brandon Nimmo then launched his 23rd home run of the season into the right-field seats, extending the Mets’ lead to 6-3 and silencing the Atlanta crowd.
But just as quickly as the Mets took the lead, the Braves roared back. In the bottom of the eighth, they managed to load the bases with two outs, setting the stage for Ozzie Albies once again. Albies delivered a bases-clearing double that hit off the base of the left-field wall, pushing Atlanta back ahead, 7-6. It was a moment of redemption for the Braves and a gut-punch to the Mets, whose bullpen had struggled to contain the explosive Atlanta offense.
Lindor’s Ninth-Inning Heroics
The Mets, however, were not ready to back down. In the top of the ninth, Starling Marte singled with one out off Braves reliever Pierce Johnson, setting the stage for Francisco Lindor. The Mets’ shortstop, who has been a leader for the team throughout the season, stepped up to the plate and blasted a two-run homer into the Braves bullpen in right-center field. It was Lindor’s 33rd home run of the season, and it came at the most crucial time, giving the Mets an 8-7 lead and putting them just three outs away from the postseason.
“It’s not the end of the road for us, but gosh, dang, does it feel good,” Brandon Nimmo said after the game, capturing the sentiment of a team that has fought its way back to the postseason after falling short in 2023.
Edwin Díaz, who had already thrown a season-high 40 pitches in the eighth inning, insisted on returning to the mound in the ninth to close it out. Díaz had previously given up Albies’ go-ahead hit after failing to cover first base on an infield play that allowed Jarred Kelenic to reach with two outs. Despite the miscue, Díaz demanded to take the mound again, telling manager Carlos Mendoza, “I don’t care what you say, I’m going back out.”
With the potential tying run at second base, Díaz faced Ramón Laureano and Travis d’Arnaud. He struck out Laureano before inducing a ground ball to short from d’Arnaud, which Lindor fielded cleanly to end the game. Díaz slammed his glove to the ground in triumph as his teammates gathered around the mound to celebrate becoming baseball’s latest playoff team.
Though the Mets celebrated briefly, they knew their job wasn’t quite finished. There was still one more game to play in the regular season, with Atlanta looking to keep its own postseason hopes alive.
Atlanta’s Disappointment and Albies’ Performance
The Braves were left reeling after letting their lead slip away twice in the final two innings. Despite their offensive efforts, which included home runs from Ozzie Albies and Ramón Laureano, Atlanta couldn’t contain the Mets’ late surge. Albies was the standout for the Braves, hitting a two-run homer in the third inning and later coming through with a clutch, bases-loaded double in the eighth. Albies, limited to batting right-handed due to his wrist injury, finished with five RBIs on the night, accounting for a majority of the Braves’ offense.
Ramón Laureano also contributed with a solo homer, and Spencer Schwellenbach delivered a strong performance through the first seven innings, but it wasn’t enough. The Braves bullpen, which had been solid for much of the season, couldn’t hold the lead when it mattered most. Joe Jiménez and Raisel Iglesias both struggled, with the latter surrendering the tying and go-ahead runs to the Mets in the eighth inning.
The Weather’s Role in the Drama
The unusual makeup doubleheader was necessitated by the cancellation of two games last week due to Hurricane Helene, which caused significant destruction across the southeastern United States. As fans anxiously watched Monday’s game, a brief rain shower in the bottom of the sixth inning threatened to delay play yet again. Fans scrambled for cover as rain began to fall at Truist Park, but it was not heavy enough to stop the game. By the seventh inning, the skies had cleared, allowing the teams to focus fully on the playoff implications of the doubleheader.
Pitching Woes for Game Two
Heading into the second game of the doubleheader, the Braves faced a significant setback as their ace, Chris Sale, who was originally slated to start, was scratched due to an injury. Sale, a favorite for the National League Cy Young Award, was expected to be a crucial factor in the Braves’ push to secure a postseason berth. Instead, the Braves turned to journeyman Grant Holmes (2-1, 3.78 ERA), a less experienced pitcher who would now shoulder the responsibility in what had effectively become a must-win game.
For the Mets, Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91 ERA) was initially scheduled to pitch the second game, but he was instead held back for the Wild Card Series to ensure he would be rested and ready for the postseason. In his place, Joey Lucchesi (0-1, 10.38 ERA) was brought up from the minors for his second major league start of the season. Lucchesi, who has struggled at the major league level this year, will be under pressure as the Mets aim to sweep the doubleheader and deny the Braves a playoff spot.
Playoff Picture and What Lies Ahead
With the Mets now guaranteed a spot in the postseason, attention turns to their potential path through October. New York’s resilience and ability to come through in clutch moments were on full display against the Braves, and the team will be hoping to carry that momentum into the playoffs. The Mets’ bullpen remains a concern, especially with Edwin Díaz being pushed to his limit in Monday’s game, but their offense has proven that it can deliver when it matters most.
The Braves, meanwhile, face an uphill battle. With their fate now dependent on the outcome of the second game, Atlanta must regroup quickly. Missing out on Chris Sale for the critical game was a blow, and the team will need contributions from all corners to keep their postseason hopes alive. If Atlanta loses, Arizona will advance, leaving the Braves out of the playoffs after a hard-fought season.
Fans of both teams will be glued to the action as the second game gets underway, with everything on the line for Atlanta. The drama that unfolded in game one set the stage for what is sure to be another tense and emotional matchup.
A Memorable Season Finale
For the Mets, Monday’s win represented the culmination of months of hard work, resilience, and overcoming adversity. As they clinch their 11th playoff appearance in franchise history, the team knows that the journey ahead will not be easy. However, their ability to fight back against the Braves—even after surrendering a late lead—demonstrates the kind of determination that will serve them well in the playoffs.
The Braves, on the other hand, will need to find a way to bounce back from the emotional blow of losing a game they were on the verge of winning twice. As they prepare for the second game of the doubleheader, Atlanta’s hopes rest on the shoulders of Grant Holmes and the team’s offense, which will need to replicate the success they found in game one. The outcome of the second game will decide whether the Braves join the Mets in the postseason or if their season comes to a disappointing end.
The chaotic finish to the 2024 regular season, involving a makeup doubleheader squeezed in before the start of the playoffs, underscores just how unpredictable and thrilling baseball can be. For the Mets, it’s on to the postseason with high hopes, while the Braves face a do-or-die situation that could end their streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances.
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